Photo:

Kentucky HBPA YouTube

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit lifted a provisional suspension of trainer Robertino Diodoro. The suspension dated back to a charge, posted March 29, of possession of levothyroxine, a banned substance.

According to the post on the HIWU site, the provisional suspension was lifted under rule 3247(e), which states that such suspensions can be lifted if “appropriate to do so on the specific facts of the case”, though those facts were not publicly disclosed by HIWU. The end of his provisional suspension was reported previously by Matt Hegarty of Daily Racing Form.

Diodoro has continued to race since the provisional suspension in states that include Louisiana, West Virginia and Texas. Louisiana and West Virginia are exempt from Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority programs including HIWU due to court rulings, and Texas has refused to accept HISA regulation.

With the provisional suspension lifted, Diodoro is now free to return to racing in HISA jurisdictions. Diodoro told DRF that he plans to return to major racetracks under HISA rules, including the upcoming Keeneland meet.

Levothyroxine is listed as a banned metabolic hormone under HIWU rules and controlled in all contexts of testing: post-race and vet’s list works, out-of-competition testing and regular post-work testing. The drug is used to treat hypothyroidism in both horses and humans, but it is not allowed in the systems of horses on track.